O.C. BBQ Bonanza heats up this weekend

Professional pit masters and local amateurs are grilling up their barbecue best this weekend at the Orange County BBQ Bonanza in Fountain Valley, competing in best ribs, best sauce and people's choice categories, with winners to be announced Sunday.

Each pit master has a different success formula, from finding the best hogs to top-secret dry-rub recipes.

Dallas Green, owner of Cowboys Barbeque and Rib Company, said his trick is using Whiteface hogs, while Dan Johnson of Johnson's Bar-B-Que said he uses only the side of the hog that the hog doesn't lay on.

Johnson insists his "thermonuclear" barbecue sauce originated from a recipe his father, Johnny, created after serving as a chemist in World War II with Gen. George S. Patton.

Kenny Tran, of Bolsa BBQ, took first place for his beef ribs in the amateur category last year. The company was named for the local Vietnamese community, but the company is based out of Corona, Tran said.

Nailbag BBQ, based in south Orange County, is competing for the first time in the beef ribs competition. Pit master Michael Buescher is hoping his special cider squirt, which he sprays on his ribs every hour, will help him get an edge.

The Orange County BBQ Bonanza will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Fountain Valley Recreation and Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St.

Admission is free, and menu items range from $2 to $25. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat Rib Village are $65 for adults, $20 for ages 12-16 and $10 for children 11 and younger.